Silva Named to U.S. U-23 Team

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University senior All-American Frances Silva has been named to the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team.

Silva, a native of Overland Park, Kan., and the 20-player roster, will travel to La Manga, Spain, this weekend for the Six Nations Tournament, set for Feb. 24 – March 6. USA will face Japan (March 1), Sweden (March 3) and Norway (March 5) over the course of the trip.

A forward for the Mountaineers, Silva will move to midfield with the national team.

“I’m very excited to play in this tournament and to earn the opportunity to represent my country,” says Silva. “This is something I always dreamed about when I was younger, and I’m looking forward to helping this team perform well in any way I can.”

Silva capped off her four-year Mountaineer career in November with multiple honors, including a spot on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Continental Tire All-America Second Team. One of 15 semifinalist for the 2013 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, she led the Big 12 Conference in goals (15), assists (13) and points (43). Silva was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and was selected as the unanimous Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

After leading the Mountaineers to two Big 12 titles this season, including the program’s first Big 12 Soccer Championship title, and the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Silva was selected by FC Kansas City with the 19th overall pick at the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft in January.